USDA Seeks Applications for Rural Innovation Centers, Job Accelerator Partnerships in Low-Income Rural Communities

On December 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) program announced it is accepting grant applications to advance equity by creating new opportunities in distressed rural communities. The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program provides grants of up to $2 million to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets.  RISE encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. This includes rural communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. USDA encourages applications that serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes.  For more information, see page 71868 of the December 20, 2021, Federal Register.

Additional information:

• Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by the agency to SM.USDA-RD.RISE@usda.gov no later than February 18, 2022.
• The deadline to submit final applications through Grants.gov is April 19, 2022.
• Applicants are also encouraged to contact their nearest USDA-RD State Office ahead of the application deadline for more information about the program or application process.
• USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity, and combat climate change.  These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.